Provincial Liberals meeting in Whistler next week

Transportation, electoral reform, education, health care and community affairs, these are just some of the issues the B.C. Liberals will be discussing as the party gathers in Whistler from Nov. 4 to 6.

The Fairmont Chateau Whistler will be inundated with Liberals from all over B.C. as they attempt to formulate an approach for the provincial election in May and discuss policy ideas.

Several cabinet ministers will be making speeches at the convention and Premier Gordon Campbell will address the conference on Saturday night.

"The B.C. Liberals bi-annual convention is just an opportunity for members of our party from around the province to get together and discuss issues, hear presentations from elected officials and the premier," said communications officer Chad Robinson.

"We have members from every corner of British Columbia and so its only on very rare occasions that we can bring everyone together in the same location."

It will cost each Liberal delegate $150 to attend the conference, $170 for late entry, and they also have to pay for their own accommodation. But despite this cost Robinson said the party was expecting between 700 and 1,000 Liberals to attend.

"At the convention there will be policy plenary sessions and those are an opportunity for members to give their ideas to the government and elected officials on how they can proceed with things," Robinson said.

The public will not be allowed to be involved in the conference but some members of the public will be able to watch the speeches.